Video Interview: Ryan Lochte Discusses New Underwater Kicking Technique

Ryan Lochte made an appearance at Speedo Sectionals in Athens, Georgia as he and other members of SwimMAC Carolina’s Team Elite tuned up for the World Championships, which begin in less than three weeks in Kazan, Russia. Lochte won the 200 IM in Athens in a time of 2:00.00, and he finished second in the 200 free in a close race with Matias Koski. He also clocked the second-best preliminary time in the 100 fly before scratching the final, and he swam a 50 underwater kick − taking the DQ in the 50 free B-final − in 23.49.

Lochte departed Athens Saturday afternoon to head back to Charlotte and resume his training for the World Championships, but before he left, he took a few minutes to sit down with Swimming World’s David Rieder. Lochte discussed a change he has made with his underwater dolphin kicking; in his freestyle races in Athens, Lochte kicked underwater on his back before flipping over to begin swimming on the surface. The video below shows Lochte kicking on his back during the final of the 200 free.

Lochte also discussed his approach for the lighter event schedule he’ll have at this year’s World Championships, whether or not he will take a break following Worlds before resuming his training for the Olympics, and some of his goals for Rio next summer.

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